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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Security Council draft statement on the humanitarian situation in Syria

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The Security Council held consultations on the humanitarian and human
rights situation in Syria following the public briefings on 18 April
by senior UN officials.

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Members of the Security Council expressed the view that the
escalating violence is completely unacceptable and must end
immediately.

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Members of the Security Council condemned the widespread violations
of human rights by the Syrian authorities, as well as any human
rights abuses by armed groups.

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Members of the Security Council strongly condemned incidents of
sexual violence, as well as the grave violations and abuses against
children, including the recruitment and use of children in the
conduct of hostilities.

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Members of the Security Council urged all parties, to protect
civilians and respect international human rights and humanitarian
law, recalling the primary responsibility of the Syrian authorities
in this regard.

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Members of the Security Council stressed the need to ensure that
there is no impunity for serious violations of international
humanitarian law and human rights law.

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Members of the Security Council urged all parties to ensure safe and
unimpeded access for aid organisations to those in need in all areas
of Syria. They deplored the obstacles to the provision of
humanitarian assistance and underlined the urgent need to remove all
such obstacles, including those which are bureaucratic in nature.

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Members of the Security Council called on all parties in Syria, and
in particular the Syrian authorities, to cooperate fully with the
United Nations and relevant humanitarian organisations. They
underlined the need to facilitate the provision of humanitarian
assistance through the most effective ways, including where
appropriate across borders in accordance with international
humanitarian principles, as recommended by Under-Secretary-General
Valerie Amos.

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Members of the Security Council called on member states to, as a
matter of urgency, fulfil pledges made at the International
Humanitarian Pledging Conference in Kuwait in January, including to
support the UN’s Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan and
the SyriaRegional Response Plan.

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Members of the Security Council underlined the destabilising impact
of the crisis on Syria’s neighbours and emphasised the urgent need
for further support to host countries and affected communities.

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Members of the Security Council called for parties to ensure the
safety of humanitarian personnel and refrain from attacking medical
and educational facilities and personnel.

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Members of the Security Council reiterated their call for all parties
to cease all armed violence in all its forms and underlined the need
for a political process leading to a political transition on the
basis of the Geneva Action Group Communiqué of 30 June 2012.